Gatwick Airport Resolves Technical Fuel Supply Shortage

Ongoing flight operations remained stable after Gatwick Airport resolved a technical fuel supply issue on the morning of Monday, August 3, 2026. The disruption began over the weekend when a technical failure at one of the airport's fuel farms caused a shortage, prompting officials to issue a Notice to Aviation (Notam) on Sunday, August 2.

To mitigate potential disruptions during the peak summer travel season, the airport advised pilots to maximize fuel uplifts at outstations. Long-haul carriers, including British Airways, were identified as the most vulnerable due to weight restrictions and an inability to tanker sufficient fuel from other destinations. Short-haul operators such as easyJet, Wizz Air, TUI, and Jet2 were better positioned to insulate themselves by carrying extra fuel from European flights.

Despite initial concerns that the shortage would last two days and lead to cancellations, airport officials confirmed that no flights were cancelled and all airlines continued to operate as normal. The fuel fault was unrelated to broader jet fuel price increases linked to the US-Iran war or the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This incident follows a separate water outage at the airport on July 26, 2026, caused by a power failure at the Bough Beech Water Treatment Works.